If you’ve ever known someone with Alzheimer’s, then you know how devastating the disease can be. Not only is the person who is stricken with Alzheimer’s severely affected, so are friends and family who feel helpless watching the disease take its course. As much as the fight to battle the disease is waged throughout the world on a daily basis, there are certain individuals that go the distance to ensure that people are aware of the strides that are being taken to ensure that the tolls taken are as painless as possible. One particular person who has committed her time and energy to the effort is Danni Lang who hails from Buffalo, and although she is temporarily in California (being a movie star) plans on returning home to a city that she calls Buffalove.
“My late grandmother was a victim to Alzheimer’s and I have seen the devastating effects it has on families firsthand. In honor of her, I have dedicated my Friday mornings to volunteering at the Alzheimer’s association, doing both exercise tai chi, as well as painting in a program called “Memories in the making” developed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
“I grew up in “Buffalove”, went to Buffalo State College, studied with Frank Rossi, a Buffalo acting coach, and I have recently appeared as Ling in the Lionsgate film Safe, as well as on One Life to Live. I have also competed in the Miss Buffalo, NY pageant with Alzheimer’s awareness as my platform where I connected with the directors of the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter.
“I am interested in sharing my experiences with Alzheimer’s and how to get more involved in the different programs, and raise awareness for families who are dealing with such a heartbreaking and incurable disease. There are so many programs out there to give families respite, or help families cope with support groups where there is a community of families run by the knowledgable and helpful facilitators at the Alzheimer’s Association.
I wish my family had known about these programs when my grandmother was alive and if I can help even a few families be aware of some of the free and invaluable resources that the Alzheimer’s Association offers in any way, it would be a huge achievement.